Reviews
Posted By Shelli Stevens on September 23, 2009
Shelli Stevens, The Author Your Mother Warned You About
by Shelli Stevens
1st Turning Point Staff Columnist
Copyright © 2009 Shelli Stevens
Just the word ‘review’ can make some authors break out into a cold sweat. It entails someone reading your book and telling you (and the rest of the world in some cases) just what they think of it.
And sometimes, just what they think of it can make you want to go sit in the corner and rock back and forth in the fetal position.
Let’s be real, reviews aren’t always a joyous part of writing for an author. But they are a part of it, and so you need to learn how to deal with them, whether the review is good, bad, or just ugly.
So let’s go over some Do’s and Don’t’s about reviews.
First, the Don’t’s.
1. Don’t get on a blog/social networking site and go ballistic badmouthing the reviewer. It makes you look unprofessional and people will just assume you forgot to take your meds that day.
2. Don’t write the reviewer and let him/her know that there’s now a hit on his/her life.
3. Don’t create a virus to take down the review site.
4. Don’t brag about how fabulous you are and make yourself look like a total schmuck.
Here’s some Do’s
1. Do find a part of the review that’s quotable, even if you get a bad one. For example: “Bambi’s Big Boy Toy was offensive, the plot totally unbelievable, and at times I wanted to hurl the book at the wall. But at least the sex scenes were scorching.” Jenny’s Reviews. What do you quote? “The sex scenes were scorching.”~Jenny’s Reviews.
2. Do thank the reviewer. If a reviewer takes the time to email you a review, it’s fairly easy to hit reply and provide a courteous ‘thank you’. Even if it’s a bad review, just a ‘Thank you for taking the time to review me’ is a nice gesture. It lets them know you appreciate their time, and they’ll likely remember you.
3. Do share a great review! Don’t forget about it. Or maybe when you have a bunch you’d like to share, do it that way. But blog it, share it on a social networking site, or writers’ forums (just hopefully not in a damn, I’m awesome way).
4. Do rant to a couple close friends or family you trust if you get a bad review. Indulge in chocolate, or beat the hell out of a punching bag.
5. Do give yourself permission to ignore a really bad review and pretend it never happened (hey, you’re only human!).
6. Do remember that just like the rest of this business, reviews are subjective too. One reviewer may hate it and another will love it.
I leave you with one of my favorite quotes: “I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is to try to please everyone.” Bill Cosby
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Wow - Great article on the Do’s and Don’ts of dealing with reviews and yeah you just have to swallow them and get on to writing you next novel. After so many reviews over the years, I can attest to the old truism that you will never ever pleased everyone and a review is but one person’s opinon. Getting bent out of shape like the sterotypical actor will serve only to harm yourself alone.
rob
author Dead ON, Children of Salem, and others
Very sound advice, Shelli! Nice article. (^_^)
You’ve given some great advice, something we should print out to look over the next time a review knocks us flat. Smile sweetly, say thank you, and move on!
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Hey, all! Thanks for the great replies and comments! Definitely can’t get bent out of shape over them!
Great article, Shelli! Very good advise.
Great article, Shelli!
What it always comes down to is, why let anyone else’s opinion define you? The most important person to please is yourself. If you’re happy with your work, that’s all that matters.
One to print, save and share, Shelli! Excellent points, all.
Cheers!
Chassily
Great article. I had to chuckle at some of the “don’t dos.” Goodness, I hope no one emailed a reviewer and told him/her there was a hit on his/her life. lol
“Do thank the reviewer.” That’s really important in my opinion. They spent a lot of time on your book, usually for free. I love getting reviews. I spend time submitting my book to reviewers. And then I quote them profusely. I’d like to hear more from you, Shelly, about the world of the necessity of reviews. I can see a series here!
Shelli,
I read between the lines of your suggestions regarding reviews that you really urge all of us to check our emotions; to be thoughtful of others, and to go with the flow. Good article. Thanks.
Thanks, all! Yes, definitely check your emotions! I tried to make this article light and fun, but make a point.